Sorcery and Superstition, or Science?

PIERRE PRADERVAND

To all who believe in and suffer from superstitions and fear, Christian Science comes as a luminous, loving liberator. It speaks to them in the tender yet strong words of Isaiah, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."^{Isa. 41:10;}

Many people in most countries and cultures today, even in the so-called developed industrialized nations, still indulge in a variety of superstitious beliefs. Paris, for instance, is reputed to have thousands of full-time fortune-tellers, astrologers, and others, attempting to "read" the future. In many high-rise buildings of North America there is no floor with the number thirteen because of ancient pagan beliefs that thirteen is an unlucky number. And in some areas of the United States, witchcraft and so-called "Satan-cults" are spreading—a sure sign of the failure of traditional religion, education, and modern science to satisfy mankind's need for understanding life.

Africa is no exception, and similar beliefs manifest themselves there in innumerable cults and practices, such as sorcery, voodoo, witchcraft, mind reading, divining the future, various forms of traditional medicine, initiation ceremonies, and secret societies. The basis of these beliefs is what Mrs. Eddy has called animal magnetism. In her own words: "As named in Christian Science, animal magnetism or hypnotism is the specific term for error, or mortal mind. It is the false belief that mind is in matter, and is both evil and good; that evil is as real as good and more powerful." She then adds this supremely comforting and strong statement: "This belief has not one quality of Truth."^{Science and Health, p. 103;}